Presence

The film begins in a desolate house as an unseen force, referred to as the “Presence,” drifts silently from room to room in the early hours of the morning, anticipating the arrival of the Paine family. Shortly after, realtor Cece arrives to welcome the family, which consists of Chris and Rebecca, portrayed by Chris Sullivan and Lucy Liu respectively, along with their children, Tyler and Chloe. Chloe is currently grappling with the aftermath of her best friend Nadia’s tragic death, along with another girl from school, both suspected to have succumbed to drug overdoses. Throughout their visit, the Presence silently observes the family’s interactions within the house.

As they settle in, it becomes clear that Chris and Rebecca’s marriage is under strain. Chris is aware of Rebecca’s unethical behavior at work and begins contemplating separation, while Rebecca seems overly focused on their son, Tyler, a talented swimmer whose arrogance is evident. In contrast, Chloe appears neglected and is struggling with her grief. The family employs contractors to assist with the house, but one worker expresses fear about entering a particular room, sensing the Presence lurks inside.

As time goes on, the Presence begins to make its presence felt specifically to Chloe, causing her to believe it is the spirit of Nadia reaching out to her. This is highlighted when books inexplicably move from her bed to her desk, startling her initially.

Tyler introduces Chloe to his friend Ryan, and a budding interest develops between them, leading to some intimate moments. However, as they grow closer, Chloe finds herself weeping in Ryan’s arms. He shares his own feelings of powerlessness, but their moment is abruptly interrupted when the Presence causes a shelf in Chloe’s closet to fall.

Concerned about strange occurrences within the house, Chloe expresses her worries about the Presence. Unfortunately, Tyler dismisses her fears, attributing them to her grief over Nadia while undermining the significance of the other girls’ tragic deaths. The Presence’s awareness intensifies as it observes Tyler recounting a cruel prank involving a girl from school, eliciting disgust from both Chris and Chloe yet igniting curiosity within Rebecca.

As the weekend approaches, Chris and Rebecca leave for a business trip, granting Ryan a chance to spend time with Chloe, despite Tyler’s presence. In a troubling sequence, Ryan renders Tyler unconscious with Ambien, intending to manipulate Chloe as well. Although Chloe resists his advances, Ryan persists and offers her a spiked drink, causing her to drowsily submit to him. In a chilling confession, Ryan reveals his past actions involving Nadia and threatens to replicate the scenario with Chloe.

At this crucial moment, the Presence, sensing the impending danger, works to awaken Tyler by flickering lights and encroaching on his space. Just in time, Tyler rushes upstairs and discovers Ryan’s nefarious intentions, leading to a struggle that results in both boys falling from the window to their demise.

In the aftermath of these harrowing events, the family prepares to leave the cursed house behind them. In a final confrontation, Chloe exposes her fears to Rebecca. When Ryan, fueled by his vile intentions, tries to repeat his pattern with Chloe, the Presence intervenes once more, and Tyler’s quick thinking allows him to save his sister, defying evil and ultimately leading to the fall of Ryan. The tragic tale culminates in a series of events steeped in loss, grief, and the haunting reality of familial bonds tested by external forces.

Last Updated: February 12, 2025 at 12:12